PRO-file by ALICE TYM
Behind the Scenes with Pro
JILLIAN
BRAVERMAN
Age: 35 Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Marital Status: Married Ranking: # 1 with women’ s doubles partner Megan Fudge
Favorite Tournament: APP Newport Beach( won it on her home courts) Best Shot: Backhand
What drew you to pickleball when you had such a stellar tennis career? I wanted to fall in love again with a racket sport. I played # 1 tennis for Pepperdine following my sister who played # 1 for four years. We started playing pickleball after college and had so much joy. I was the CEO of DUPR and Steve Kuhn suggested I try the pickleball pro circuit. I have been at it for two years now as a free agent and I have no regrets.
Where do you see pickleball going? I see more and more international talent. Pickleball is exploding. It’ s an infectious disease that you want to catch.
What leadership role, if any, do you think the pros should play in the sport? Now more than ever, the top players are helping other players with mutual aid and protection. It’ s happening in real time.
Should there be a standardized scoring system? Of course, rally scoring. It’ s painful to watch on TV. Viewers are confused. Rally scoring makes sense.
Which is more difficult in terms of a strategy— women’ s doubles or mixed doubles? Gender doubles is more difficult. Mixed doubles strategy is more formulaic. The patterns are more consistent.
Should pickleball have a Grand Slam or set of must-play tournaments? We have them: Nationals, US Open, APP Majors. They are sold out.
Pepperdine has a gorgeous campus. Should beauty have a role in sports?? I love the irreverence and the inclusiveness of pickleball. It is modern. We share nothing with the other sports. We wear what is comfortable. Pickleball is our zeitgeist!
You appear to be very fit. What’ s your routine for good health? I do prehab so that I don’ t have to do rehab. I do a lot of targeted exercises. I do two hours a day on band work, wrist, back, and internal rotation. I cook all my food myself. I am in a constant state of trying to gain weight. I eat organic and humanely raised food.
What role do you see pickleball playing in women’ s sports? Pickleball and women are meant to be together. So few sports are 50 / 50. Pickleball is the only place where you don’ t talk politics.
Where is the most interesting place you have traveled? Three years ago, I was on the American delegation to the Maccabi Games in Israel. Seymour Rifkind led the trip. We set up courts in the streets and at tennis centers. I was impressed at how the people live every day despite the physical proximity of violence and fear.
What is something we don’ t know about you? I had a pet pigeon named Pauly growing up. I asked for a dog, but a pigeon came to me on the court and became my pet.
What advice would you give to young players? Remember that any pickleball is joy and don’ t let anyone tell you differently. I am always smiling on the court. It is a contagious energy. I have a podcast,“ This Pickleball Life,” and I do a blog that focuses on the mental and physical aspects of pickleball. Go to jillianbraverman. com or jillybpickleball. com. •
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